Siim Õunap

Beekeeping experience:

13 years

Number of colonies:

200

Foraging area:

Põlva county

Main harvest:

wild raspberry (Rubus idaeus), wild beaked parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), water avens (Geum rivale), white clover (Trifolium repens), herb gerard (Aegopodium podagraria), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), broad bean (Vicia faba), honey clover (Melilotus albus), rapeseed (Brassica napus), willows (Salix)

Membership:

Member of Estonian Professional Beekeepers Association

During my lifetime, I have tried many different types of honey and I can confirm that Estonian and more widely Nordic honey is one of the best in the world. Why? Põlvamaa, where my bee colonies are located, is a natural environment which is so rich in species. Natural river floodplains alternate with swamps, clearings, forests and meadows where wonderful honey plants grow: willow, wild beaked parsley, wild raspberry, dandelion. Lingonberry, blueberry, heather add their own nuance. In addition, cultural landscapes: gardens, fields, parks, where you can find apple trees, berry bushes, linden trees, clover, beans, rapeseed, buckwheat. The bees collect this nectar full of life and store the pollen, vitamins and add their own enzymes to create this excellent honey.”